Frequently Asked Questions

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Why would I need estate sale services?

The occasions where one needs to liquidate personal property are varied and can be complex. Most often, they involve the death of a loved one, downsizing to smaller living space, divorce where division of property is required, merging households, and moving out of area. Estate sales are best when selling an entire household or most of one's personal property.

What can I expect from Family Tree Estate Sales?

Our staff will sort, organize, display, price and sell your belongings for a reasonable commission. The sale will be held as-is, where-is (your location). We will provide basic advertising, tables, tablecloths, display equipment and staff.

What other services do you provide?

While we specialize in in-home total estate sales, we also consider downsizing, merging households, major moving and business sales. While we are not appraisers, we can research and catalog individual pieces or collections. We also speak to groups about how an estate sale works, special aspects of buying and collecting, and other subjects of interest.  We do not have our own store, so we cannot take consignments.

What is involved in the estate sale process?

1.     In-home consultation and evaluation.

2.    Written contract defining terms and dates of sale.

3.     Depending on the size of the estate, Family Tree Estate Sales will require three or more days on location to prepare for the sale and another two or more days to conduct the sale.

4.   During the actual sale, our staff will work with each customer and make every effort to make sales on your behalf.

5.   When the sale is completed, we will provide you with a summary of the sale and a check for your portion of the proceeds, as agreed in our contract.

What do I need to do to prepare for the sale?

1.     We are able to sell almost everything that may be in an estate. Refer to the enclosed “Common Household” worksheets to decide what will be included. Items that are not for sale should be removed from the premises or placed in one designated room that will be off-limits to buyers.

2.     Tidy up and remove any actual trash from the house. Remove food, medicines, alcohol, drugs and weapons from the premises, as we do not sell these.

3.     Do not discard anything else until our staff has an opportunity to evaluate your estate. Many people are surprised by the value of some would-be discards.

Should I be present before and during the sale?

No. It is really best for you to leave, allowing our staff to come in and do our work more quickly and efficiently. We promise to take special care of your belongings and notify you of any unusual or unexpected finds.

It is sometimes difficult for family members to be objective in the pricing and selling of a loved ones items. As an objective third party, we will work to get fair prices and sell as much of the estate as possible for you. We will require access to the property during the preparation and sale days. Please plan to provide morning and evening access each day.

How are items priced and/or discounted?

We use our accumulated experience and knowledge to price each item for today’s market and the middle-Tennessee area. Even so, we are not experts in every field and may consult with experts and conduct additional research on some specialty items. In general, household items will bring garage sale prices. Since we will not have the luxury of an indefinite selling period, furniture, antiques and specialty items will be priced to sell within the given time period, but will generally not be discounted on the first day of the sale. Our contract with you will include a section where you can specify how aggressive the pricing and negotiations will be.

What if it rains or snows on the days of my sale?

Estate sales of this type are held indoors and so generally do well, regardless of the weather. Special care will be taken to protect your floor and carpet at the entrance if the weather is messy.

In the event of snow or ice, it may be necessary to reschedule your sale to ensure its success and everyone's safety.

What if everything doesn't sell?

We cannot guarantee that every single item will sell, in fact, there will surely be some things left over. Your needs will determine the disposal of unsold items. You may wish to keep the leftover items, give them to charity, or consider offers to sell whatever is left for one price. We will assist you with these arrangements, if needed. In some cases, a small fee is charged.

How long after the sale will I receive my money?

You will receive your proceeds check with a summary within a few days of the last sale day, according to your contract.

What experience does Family Tree Estate Sales have?

The owners of Family Tree Estate Sales, Melissa Larson, Sue Larson and Dena Willis have years of experience evaluating, valuing, researching and selling personal property.

Since beginning Family Tree Estate Sales in 2009, we have successfully conducted an average of 30-35 sales per year. To meet our personal goals for growth and professionalism and to better meet the needs of our clients, we engage in continuing education and Melissa has completed her course work in Appraisal Studies. She is currently working toward certification as an appraiser of personal property.

We staff our sales with trusted family members and personal acquaintances. Even our most youthful workers are well-trained and ready to assist with designated responsibilities at each sale.

How will my sale be advertised?

Family Tree Estate Sales offers a basic advertising package at no additional charge. This includes ads in the local newspaper, internet estate sale sites, Family Tree Estate Sales website, our own mailing list (email), and attractive street and yard signs.

What are your fees?

Our standard commission fees are 30% to 40% on gross sales. Estates that have a disproportionate number of small items, sales that are long distances from our home base in Nashville, and estates that require extensive cleaning may fall into the higher range of fees.

Since we are paid on commission, we do not make money unless you do. This means we will work hard to get the best prices for both your benefit and that of Family Tree Estate Sales.

How can I know if my estate is big enough for your services?

Everyone has an estate and most people are surprised to realize how much personal property they actually have. Use our “Common Household” worksheets to review your household belongings. If your estate is smaller than average, we may be able to combine it with another small estate for a full sale. This will both complement your sale and attract more buyers. If our services are not the best choice for your situation, we may be able to assist with a referral to other resources.

Why don't you discount prices on the first day?

 We take great care to price items fairly and reasonably from the start. We do not intentionally inflate or exaggerate prices so that we can give the impression of big discounts. Customers who purchase items on the first day can be assured that they are getting a fair price, even without an additional discount.

Our contractural agreement with clients stipulates the discount structure for each sale. Generally, prices are firm on the first day, discounted 20-25% on the second day and up to 50% on the last day. Customers should understand that the items being sold are not ours; we can't give them away.